Is Online Therapy Effective? What to Expect from Online Counselling in Ireland

When most people imagine therapy, they picture sitting in a quiet room across from a therapist (or lying on a couch if you're thinking very old school). That can be a really valuable space but it isn’t the only way therapy works.

Over the past few years, more people have discovered that online sessions can be just as supportive. Research has consistently found that online therapy is as effective as meeting face to face [1,2].

What matters most is the relationship we build and the space we create together, rather than setting.

If you’ve been unsure about whether online therapy could work for you, here are some things to consider.

It can be easier to fit into your life

Maybe you’ve thought about therapy before but the practical side has felt impossible: the commute, the parking, squeezing an appointment into a busy day.

Online therapy removes those barriers. You can log in from home, from your office, or even your car if that is the only private space you have available (while stationary, obviously!)

Therapy that fits into your life, wherever feels grounding

There’s more privacy

For some people, the idea of walking into a therapy centre feels daunting. Online therapy means no waiting rooms, no chance of bumping into someone you know, and a bit more control over your own space.

Being in your own environment can feel grounding

There’s something about being in familiar surroundings that can make it easier to open up. I often hear from clients that they feel more relaxed online, less “on the spot,” and more able to talk freely.

Have you ever noticed how sometimes the deepest conversations happen when you’re not sitting across from someone, but side by side or on the phone? Online therapy can feel a little like that.

You can light your own candles, get comfy with a blanket, make yourself a cup of tea. Whatever you need to feel more relaxed.

You can make the therapy space your own, whatever helps you feel more grounded

It makes therapy more accessible

If you live outside of Dublin, travel often, or have mobility challenges, online sessions can make regular support possible in a way that in-person can’t. All you need is a decent internet connection.

What sessions look like

I use a secure, encrypted video platform that’s straightforward to access - you just click the link (which stays the same each week) and enter your name. And if there are any tech hiccups, we’ll have a plan B so you’re not left stuck.

If you’re still unsure if online therapy is right for you

It’s normal to wonder if online therapy will feel awkward at first. Most people find that after a session or two it feels surprisingly natural. Some even say they prefer it, because it feels easier to bring therapy into the rhythm of their everyday life.

Maybe a question to sit with: if therapy felt more flexible and accessible, would it be easier to give yourself permission to start?

My face-to-face availability can be very limited but I currently have space for new clients online. If you're curious whether online therapy would be a good fit and you’d like to explore working together, you can get in touch here